Join Lisa, our support coordinator every Thursday at 8 PM EST for our fertility support sessions inside our private facebook group page. All are welcome. Email Lisa at lstack@cnyfertility.com if you need to be added to our support group.

Join The Fertility Expert, Dr. Kiltz, for our weekly Facebook Live every Sunday Night at 8 PM EST to have your questions answered as we discuss all things fertility. Find our facebook page by searching CNY Fertility in Facebook or clicking here.

April is a CNY Fertility Center patient and has been on her journey to fertility for approximately two years. April will share candid stories and a unique perspective on the fertility challenges many women and couples face.Week Twenty Four: Giving
As we enter this month of thanksgiving, I realize that I have not been in the best of places for about two months. I thought that after my endometriosis was diagnosed and removed that I would surely be pregnant by now. My husband and I tried a couple of natural cycles, a couple of natural cycles with assistance (monitoring and IUI) and a couple of stimulated cycles with no results. Since my mounting sense of disappointment and hopelessness has become a bit overwhelming, I realize I need to make some changes so that I can surround myself with positive energy.
I look for signs fairly regularly – omens, if you will, and every once in a while a meaningful sign makes its way to me. One particular sign is making an encore appearance in my life. The last time this particular sign (the book, How One Month Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker) made its way to me; I had been recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was simultaneously dealing with my lack of fertility. I remember beginning to emulate the author’s journey of giving, but then becoming too busy to finish the 29 days.
As I was surfing the internet last week, I noticed Cami Walker’s book was highlighted because she was recently on The Today Show (todayshow.com) discussing her own life lessons on the importance of giving. In short, Walker was diagnosed with MS in her early 30s and the disease progressed quickly, affecting her ability to even get out of bed. When she spoke to her spiritual advisor about how distraught she was, her advisor gave Cami an interesting prescription: spend 29 days giving.
I tried to do this once, when I initially read about Cami’s 29 days of giving. I even kept a diary of what I gave each day (a Starbucks coffee to a friend at work, a donation to a local food pantry, etc.) For whatever reason though, I lost my focus and did not complete the 29 days.
In her interview with Meredith Viera, Cami shared how this attitude of giving allowed her to focus on her capabilities instead of her limitations. Rather than feeding her disease, she was able to shift her energy and her thinking. Her MS improved remarkably as did her overall spirit.
In dealing with the challenges of infertility, I think we sometimes focus too much on our disease and too little on our talents and capabilities. Today, I begin my 29 days of giving, which will actually take me through my birthday (another sign, perhaps?). I will be sure to share my progress with you next week!
Many thanks to my readers,April all Year
P.S. If anyone would like to take on this challenge with me, please let me know by replying to the comments below. Perhaps we can share each other’s giving lists on the CNY Healing Arts discussion forum. Click here to visit My 29 days of giving forum.
{{vspace8}}
{{hrule}}
Below are links to April’s past articles in case you missed any of them:Week twenty three: De-clutteringWeek twenty two: The Voice from WithinWeek twenty one: Marital Bliss Part II Week twenty: Marital bliss and infertilityWeek nineteen: The changing seasonsWeek eighteen: Grand OpeningWeek seventeen: Trust your placeWeek sixteen: LabelsWeek fifteen: Keeping the faithWeek fourteen: Keep at itWeek thirteen: Maya Abdominal MassageWeek twelve: AcupunctureWeek eleven: A little bit at a timeWeek ten: Well-timed remindersWeek nine: SummertimeWeek eight: ResiliencyWeek seven: Tiny miraclesWeek six: Bahama MamaWeek five: The right path for usWeek four: Our fertility treatment “break”Week three: Deliberate choicesWeek two: This momentWeek one: My story